For a collector of modern first editions, there are few books put on a higher pedestal than The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Last month a collector purchased a first edition of this novel, via AbeBooks, for more than £12,000. The Hobbit is considered the archetypal epic fantasy novel and is thoroughly entrenched in popular culture, but this was not always the case. Published in 1937, the book was a slow burning success, receiving encouraging reviews and earning subsequent printings and a North American release after several months. The book really took off in the 1960s when publishers reissued a massive number of affordable copies in the United States. Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Smaug the dragon and Gollum have become some of the most famous fictional characters in literature. Gollum's hissed catchphrase 'My Precious' is known around the world. Two other modern firsts to appear on March’s list of pricey sales were a signed copy of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick and Cormac McCarthy’s semi-autobiographical novel Suttree. Speaking of autobiographical works, a buyer paid £5,900 for a first edition of No Easy Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. This book was printed in 1965 while Mandela was still imprisoned. This particular copy was signed by Mandela after his release.

I always find it interesting to see these lists, but they are all so wrong.Fact remains that in December, January, February and March indeed the most expensive books sold (that were listed on Abebooks) were Tolkien books. But they never make the list since the "buy now" button was never used. If you however compare the listings from December with now you can see all signed and expensive Tolkien books are gone...

Where are all the signed copies of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings,... the proof copies of Lord of the Rings, the handwritten letters,... I know where many went to but many others I had nothing to do with are gone as well.

Some investors have been stocking up to prepare for the Hobbit movie! Keep an eye open... and prepare for a crazy ride over the next year and a half! It has begun (again).

Why do you even need to cancel the order Trotter? I usually just go through the Ask Bookseller a Question & approach seller that way. ABE cut is still 13.5% I think; I'm sure someone can confirm. That aside, if an item has been up on ABE or AMAZON for years, why shouldn't you approach the seller about negotiating a lower price? I can't remember the last time I paid the listed price for an ABE item.

BH

Posted on: 2011/4/29 4:37

_________________You drive a hard bargain – you can have it for £10 all-in – one consolation (for you) is that you do not have to hear the cries of my children, for bread...